(D)IGITAL (J)OCKEY ALL IN ONE
So, I am always on the hunt for the next big thing in DJ technology. I say this as I am playing Devo’s Freedom of Choice album on vinyl for some ‘easy listening’, but I do like to drag myself away from the turntables and play with all the new gadgets that are out there. What I was excited about this week was my newest discovery in the Stanton range of digital DJ consoles. Step aside laptop; you could well be replaced with an all in one system. Over the years we’ve seen the development of USB connectivity in a wide range of products not strictly for computer connection but simply as a device drive for mass media storage like USB sticks or hard drives. These first started appearing on CD players designed for the DJ market to allow the user to incorporate MP3 files into the mix, direct from a flash drive instead of from the CD in the unit, allowing greater track storage and file management. What a great idea this all seemed to be. First we used to lug around thirty or forty kilos of vinyl to a gig, which then got reduced to a wallet full of CDs. Now it looks like you can just turn up with a USB stick on you key ring, plug in and rock the party, excellent! Well, this all went up the scales in the “excitement charts” for me this week when I came across the new Stanton SCS.4DJ console. What this
unit does is remove the need for a computer in a virtual DJ console and replace it with inbuilt memory and additional USB connectivity for storage drives. This has been done before, but not in the same way with the SCS.4DJ featuring an inbuilt full colour screen so you can operate the unit like a hardware controller and a laptop, but all built into one unit. Hell, it even mixes video if you really want to go nuts. Now we are talking. Get rid of that unstable laptop that always crashes at the wrong moment and put it all into one unit that is lightweight, portable and stupidly cheap for the features it offers. The question is will this now be the blueprint for next generation of DJ interfaces and controllers ? Have we seen the demise of the laptop computer
in the club scene beginning right here? Or, am I just getting overly worked up about a cool new gadget that brings back the fundamental process and hands on technique required for respectable live DJ mixing. Imagine though, if every venue out there installed these systems into their DJ booths, you could turn up with a couple of USB sticks and still have full control over your mix. Madness, some might say. Personally, I’d like to see turntables still available in all venues, but
those days are now gone, so bring on the USB and bring back hands on live mixing. BY ROB GEE For more information on the Stanton range of products, contact Jands on (02) 9582 0909 or visit www.jands.com.au
HOME STUDIO HINTS: LAPTOP OR NOT
I have always been a staunch advocate of running a desktop computer system in my home studio. That said, I also use a laptop in there as well, and often the two will work side by side for some projects, but more often than not, I rely on the big beast to handle the brunt of my workload. But not everyone shares the same opinion. There are people out there that are getting excellent results form cost effective, compact and easily portable laptop computers in their home studios. So, why should you go with one over the other? And is it a debate that will never really be settled? Is this just another Mac vs. PC argument? And when will the tablet make its debut as a reliable contender for a studio tool? Too many questions and not enough clarity really. BUILD YOUR OWN I personally prefer a desktop design in my home studio purely for the ability to customise the beast. That and the fact I can build it into a rack casing. Everything is better when it is rack mounted. Everything! But, when all is said and done, with modern computers changing and growing all the time, it is a necessary task to upgrade repeatedly. That is why I prefer a desktop system, where I can change out components and get it running how I need it to in order to handle my workload. ALL IN ONE, GO ANYWHERE! Obviously the biggest argument for the laptop computer is the portability. You can take your studio anywhere and work on your music all the PG. 36 MIXDOWN NO. 223
time. It is also compact and fits into a workspace nicely when you are crammed into a small room. With my current recording setup, I am not likely to want to go portable, so the desktop suits me just fine. I do like to take a laptop about with me with a smaller interface so I can record on location out of the studio when needs be. Plus, I can edit audio sitting on the couch in front of cartoon re-runs if I so desire. My biggest issue with the laptop is the all in one nature of them and the limited ability to upgrade. That said, they are getting so cheap
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these days, many people could afford to simply replace the entire computer every 12-18 months, rather than upgrading individual components. When all is said and done, you want to consider your individual needs and your spacial limitations. If you have a large enough space and use a bit of outboard gear, I would always recommend a desktop computer as a main audio machine, with a backup laptop for offsite work. But if your home studio isn’t so fixed a permanent, or you simply
don’t have the space, the laptop may well be a better option. Just remember, whatever way you go, don’t go absolute top end. You will always be paying for the latest and greatest R&D and won’t get much more for your extra dollars. Aim to get a computer that is about 80-85% of the way to the most powerful unit on the market and you will save a lot of money and not see you machine get outdated as quickly. BY ROB GEE